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Chicago features a variety of interactive parks, architectural walking tours, botanical gardens and shopping streets. But the Windy City has a fickle climate and is prone to long, icy winters and hot, humid summers with frequent thunderstorms. If the weather threatens to put a damper on your outdoor plans, don't worry. Chicago is a rich cultural center that offers a wealth of museums and indoor attractions to keep you entertained when the weather refuses to cooperate.

Art Institute of Chicago

Located in the heart of downtown, the Art Institute of Chicago houses extensive collections ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to modern masterpieces. The museum is famous for its vast collection of Monet and Impressionist paintings, as well as a number of iconic paintings by Pablo Picasso, Edward Hopper, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol. Kids will enjoy the Kraft Education Center, which offers interactive exhibits and "gallery games." The Thorne Miniature Rooms are filled with intricate dollhouse-sized furnishings. Allow a minimum of three hours for your visit.

The Art Institute of Chicago

111 South Michigan Avenue

Chicago, Illinois, 60603-6404

312-443-3600

artic.edu

Field Museum of Natural History

Adventure lovers will be thrilled by the many treasures at the Field Museum, the site of Indiana Jones' fictional day job. This kid-friendly museum is home to Sue, an enormous and nearly complete T. Rex fossil unearthed in South Dakota in 1990. Other exhibits include Underground Adventure, a subterranean encounter with giant robotic centipedes, spiders and other creepy crawlies. The interactive Ancient Egypt exhibit is a replication of a living marsh environment with canals, royal barges, a bustling marketplace and 23 authentic mummies. Kids' activities include making paper from real papyrus plants. Allow at least four hours to explore the museum.

The Field Museum of Natural History

1400 S. Lake Shore Drive

Chicago, IL 60605-2496

312.922.9410

fieldmuseum.org

Museum of Science and Industry

Work in the depths of a simulated coal-mine. Experience the claustrophobic quarters of an authentic U-505 submarine. Embark on a space shuttle mission in an OMNIMAX theater. These are just a few of more than 2,000 interactive exhibits at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. Devoted to scientific and technological achievements, the museum features exhibits that are designed to involve visitors at every turn. Kids can board real trains to understand how they work, watch baby chicks peck out of their eggshells. Plan to spend at least three hours, but many visitors take a full-day to explore the museum.

Museum of Science and Industry

5700 Lake Shore Drive

Chicago, IL 60637

773-684-1414

msichicago.org

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About the Author

Susan Sedgwick has been a writer for more than 10 years, and her work has appeared in major newspapers, magazines and websites. Her favorite topics include interior design, travel, food, wine, entertainment, health and medicine. She has been featured in "Time Magazine," "New York Daily News" and "Detour." She earned her Masters of Arts in English/fiction writing from New York University.

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